The motorcycle-riding public can rest easy even if they have no new plates yet.
Land Transportation Office – National Capital Region West director, Atty. Clarence “Chuck” Guinto, has assured the public that the agency will not apprehend riders who still do not have the new doble plaka law-compliant motorcycle license plate.
The question was raised after many riders and motorcycle riding groups expressed concern that the LTO, together with various government agencies, might begin apprehending motorcycles that do not possess the new and bigger license plate. Apprehension carries penalties of up to PhP50,000 and 6 years in prison for repeat offenses.
“Hindi pa po kami manghuhuli ng mga wala pang plaka [new plate] na ganito (We will not yet apprehend those who do not have the new plate),” said Atty. Guinto.
He further added that, since the agency just started printing the new motorcycle plates, there is still a long backlog to meet. Therefore they still cannot enforce the Republic Act 11235 and its provisions.
Atty. Guinto did clarify, however, that those without the new plates should continue to use the MV file-number based license plate, while those who have the older version of the license plate should continue to do so as well, and make sure that the motorcycle’s registration with the LTO is up-to-date.
“Kahit naman po wala pa kayong [bagong] plaka, dapat po naka-rehistro yung sasakyan nyo, saka may temporary [plate] (Even without the new plate, make sure that your vehicle’s registration is up-to-date, and with the temporary MV file-based license plate).”
He also reminded the motorcycle-riding public that tampering, defacing, or modifying the number plate is punishable by law.
